The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-22
FIRE FIGHTS FIRE.
Ten Miles Of Country Swept Over in
Oconee.

From the Athens (Ga.) Banner IYatchnaan.
Hon. r. K. Reaves returned Yesterday
from High Shoals, and gives US the follow
ing additional Information in regard to the
fire that ravaged the country around and
above High Shoals Saturday:
1t seems that the fire broke out in the
nelghbOrhoOd of Carithers store. and as
everything was as dry as a finder box and a
still breeze blowing, the flames went at the
speed OF race horse, gathering fresh force
W4'A lnelr advance They swept everything
IN their pat1-tenceS. forests. fields and
many out buildings. Even the residences of
the people IN the track Of the flames made
narrow escapes. and We're only saved by
the halueSt work. \ gentleman VINO
witnessed the grand vet fearful SPECTACLE
says Il seemed that nothing could stav. the
1re or change Its course 1t would attack
large pines and Iashing up their stems, would
actually consume every leaf from their
creStS leaving chaTred and burning log
behind. W hen the flames reached a cult
waited field. sometimes OF forty acres or more
IN extent, instead Of being STAYED in their
course they would leap across the plowei
ground and break out afreSh on the opposite
side. For long distance in front
or the fire there was a perfect
hail Of burning fagOts, scattering the
flames III every direction. 1t was i'm
possible 10 approach near enough the fire TO
attempt its extinguishment, for it would
have been at the peril of ones life. Black
clouds OF smoke lowered over the face of the
land, making IL dark at monday and add
ING to the terror and gloom. In the track
OF this coniiagTation was the most dismal
sight imaginable Nothing that could be
consumed escaped the devouring element
and the people VINO mad saved their hols.s
felt indeed thankful. although thev looked
cut upon the consumed forest and long
lines OF fences reduced 70 ashes.
Mile after mile the flames swept over.
leaving . p3nic-Stricken people behind. with
a terro.lzed country in front. With IN
daunted fury the fire traversed ten miles OF
territory, spreading out for miles on each
side, and reached High Shoals. The gallaut
people or this section did not tarry long 10
consider what 10 do. Every man and bov
az once turned out 70 meet the enemy. but
when from an elevation they looked upon
the violence OF the flames they seemed pow
erlesS to combat them. II looked that moth
ing could stay them. They threatened
70 destroy the homes of both MeSs,,.
Pink and Andrew Price and Mr.. Lowe.
The fire had already reached the
lands OF these gentlemen. and if some
thins was not done % stay them even the
town and factory would not be safe. At
this instant the happy thought occurred Ia
some one TO try the Old plan Of fighting fire
with fire. Il was al once acted upou
Matches were struck and in a few minute,
counter line OF fire was started, and SeiZng
upon the dry vegetation. was il an instant
dMtlns forward 10 meet the advancing
iiaii!es Then was witnessed one Of
the gT5lncest spectacles imaginable. a.
the two lines of blaze advanced on
each other 70 meet and for an instant
seem % embrace and then mount sky
ward. apparently ascending a hundred
Ieet or more. 10 gradually suhside and diau-
pear IN dense volume OF smoke. High
Snoals was saved, but al Sunday a reign OF
fear prevailed lest the flames should break
OUT afge~h and continue their destructive
WORK, but MQn.ay morning q most wei
come shower Of rain fell extinguishiug tie
sinolu- ira and allaying an fear We have
no. e. yet been able ID get az the amount OF
cliIas done 10y this fire. which WIS one u
the most destructive chat ever visited this
,acton 0i this >tIte IT. swept over d.
tance %; ten miles leaving nothing bur
dwellings in 10. path, that were saved by
the hardest work
News reached Athens last evening that a
feari dl fnr'- fire was raging DOB Madison
county alt had Eept over q huge belt II
country destroying everything in its path
Ai ~. TINE oar Informant ltft it was near
'ir Pop hariemaus ana s-i.l raxlng Will
Fury 70 destroyed large truc.s N tIubrr
ni mlas ~ fencing A frma namag
~ hite ilsi lis crri crib and its cJuueuts snd
ofriy sawed ESQ mules lI "a stable 1,nr i,y.
Niu9n structure wa burned W- epuifn,a
earn Nan' ilffLer damage was DOM rEorr
ihi tIr 0rsr uere ou1rmou. end fhe 49,.
Z. u anl Pyrs.me N rqg ~ sweep ri
vN sfv fasks Aens sAAs